Match report 19/2/22

Leicester Lions 35 Canterbury 0

Saturday 19th February 2022

Lions show their class in the wet against Canterbury.

Leicester Lions 35: Tries: Devon Constant (3, 65), Alex WilHuckleberryson (7), Ed Sumpter (16), Simon Johnson (70); Conversions: Ben Young (4, 8, 17), Joe Brock (66, 71);
Canterbury 0:

It was a breezy and cold afternoon, with intermittent rain, for the visit of Canterbury to Westleigh Park, Blaby for the game against Leicester Lions. Following rain overnight and in the week there was surface water on the pitch, with the playing surface cutting up as the game progressed. Canterbury had won the reverse fixture in October 2021 with a close score of 30-27, so Lions had something to prove.

Lions were quickly out of the blocks putting Canterbury under pressure with some flowing back play. After 3 mins Lions produced a strategic kick through which was swiftly followed up by their speeding winger, Devon Constant, who out-paced Canterbury's defence to touch down for a try under the posts, converted by Ben Young.

Lions returned to the attack after the restart putting the Canterbury line again under pressure, then working out the ball to the right for their fullback, Alex WilHuckleberryson, to join in the line and dart over in the corner for a well worked try. An excellent conversion from the touch line by Ben Young took the score to 14-0. Soon to follow was some driving forward play by Lions, with Ed Sumpter going over for a typical second-row try, with Ben Young adding the extras.

With only the first quarter of the game gone, the Lions had established a 21-0 lead.

Canterbury started to come back into the game with some tight forward play. After the opening flurry the game became more of a forward contest. Both sides had opportunities with Canterbury taking some good lineout ball and using some effective driving rolling mauls, but neither side managed to put extra points on the score board.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 21 Canterbury 0

This pattern of play continued after the break, dictated by the wet and muddy conditions.

With play entering the final quarter Lions stepped up the pressure. A careless pass by Canterbury allowed Lions' winger Devon Constant to grasp an interception inside his own 22 and out-run the Canterbury defence to score under the posts, with Joe Brock adding the conversion of Lions fourth try of the afternoon.

Lions showed their strength with some forceful forward play, with their back-row, Simon Johnson, going over for a try, with Joe Brock again adding the extras.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 35 Canterbury 0

A good win by the Lions, with some spirited play by Canterbury. A Lions classy five try score, leading to a five point victory for Lions. Both sides were keen to move the ball around on a soggy pitch.

Following the game Lions were in sixth position in National League 2 South, with Canterbury in thirteenth position.

Lions’ Head Coach, Gareth Collins, said: “In really tough conditions I was really pleased with our effort and application to the game plan. Canterbury have a big pack and we knew that they are really dangerous if they get on the front foot. Our scrum went really well and defensively we were superb. On his 200th game for the club Johnny Murdoch was just immense. We were also very clinical in the attacking areas when handling was really tricky.”

Lions’ Chairman, Ken Whitehead, said: “A splendid performance by Lions on a soggy afternoon. The conditions tended to lend themselves to tight forward play, but both sides were keen to spin the ball out to the backs at the right opportunities”

Next week, on Saturday 26th January 2022, Lions are away at Worthing, The Rugby Park, Roundstone Lane, Angmering, Littlehampton BN16 4AX, kick off 2.00 pm. Worthing are in fourth position in National League 2 South, so it will be a testing game for Lions.

Teams: 15-9, 1-8, Replacements

Leicester Lions: Alex WilHuckleberryson, Jake Sterland, Zac Bean, Joe Brock, Devon Constant, Ben Young, James Stubbs, Will Spendlove, Oli Taylor, Isaac Thompson, Toby Hutchinson, Ed Sumpter, Simon Johnson, Johnny Murdoch, Ethan Godefroy
Replacements: Will Roberts, Shaun Murray, Calum Harris, Jamel Hamilton, Fin Ogden

Canterbury: Dwayne Corcoran, Sam Sterling, Will Waddington, Kyan Braithwaite, Max Halliday, Tom Best, Ben Cooper, Will Young, Tristan King, Danny Herriott, Royce Cadman. Sam Churchyard, Jessie De Vries, James Stephens, Tyler Oliver
Replacements: Guy Hilton, Aaron Cooper, Will McColl, Frank Morgan, David Invine